NTUCB Pushing for Greater Autonomy in Auditor General Office

The Auditor General’s Office is currently without a leader after Dorothy Bradley’s contract wasn’t renewed. The government is now on the hunt for a new auditor general. This has sparked questions about whether it’s effective to have a contract officer, without tenure, holding the government accountable. Prime Minister Briceño argues that having a contract gives the auditor general more independence. Luke Martinez, President of the NTUCB, also shared his thoughts on the matter.

 

Luke Martinez, President, NTUCB

“We are hoping that the government would ventilate the proper procedures to ensure we have an auditor general soon. We know the appointment is a constitutional appointment. As it is right now the deputy auditor general has limitations. Until we have an auditor general in place certain things could happen. Our request to audit the six point nine, the deputy auditor general has certain limitations to audit that. So, the quicker the government ensures we have a competent auditor general the better it is going to be for us. We will see the results quicker.”

 

Reporter

“You agree in principle with having a constitutionally enshrined post filled with a contract officer?”

 

Luke Martinez

“That is something we are exploring. As a matter of fact you will see the NTUCB popping up with several interest groups. We are mounting support to get the feedback from other interest groups including our social partners to wrap our heads around this and see what will best fit to get all of this done. We know that the previous auditor general was pushing for an auditor general act and autonomy. We are saying the autonomy is important. You cant audit yourself. As it is the government the audit itself. So, it comes right back to the governance structure, how we strengthen the governance structure collectively to ensure it works for us.”